U.S. trade policy is on course for disaster

7:20 PM,
Dec. 26, 2013

Scott Banbury

Written by

Scott Banbury

Free trade boosters in Congress are closing in on an agreement to renew Trade Promotion Authority, as U.S. trade officials ramp up efforts to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership by year's end.

Also known as "fast track," Trade Promotion Authority gives the president of the United States the power to negotiate international agreements that Congress can then approve or disapprove but cannot amend or filibuster.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is an expansive trade agreement being negotiated among countries in the Pacific Rim, including Japan, Australia, Brunei, Canada, ...